Aldershot County High School For Girls
I finished school at A.C.H.S. in mid-summer of 1950. I know it has been torn down for housing, but cannot remember the name of the street it was on. We rode the bus from Cove, when we got off the bus in Cove we would meet the kids coming from the secondary modern school in Cove. They hated us because we wore school uniforms and they threw stones at us. Back then one had to pass what was called the scholarship to attend the High School, I believe that was at around age 10. If you did not pass you went on to the secondary modern school, I live in the U.S.A. now and understand all that has been done away with. I remember I was terrified when I took the scholarship, even at that age I knew I had to pass. My sister went to A.C.H.S. ahead of me and my brother went to Farnborough Grammar School. But it was a fun life, gone forever now.
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RE: RE: Aldershot County High School For Girls
This was a brilliant school which I attended from 1956-1959. You had to pass the 11+ exam or if borderline results (which I had!) had an interview with the then Head Mistress (Miss Martin) such a lovely, statuesque lady. My mother also had to attend the interview, I am not quite sure why? There was another Miss Martin, history teacher if I remember correctly, who arrived for a class at the wrong time or wrong day and then went over the previous lesson yet again. Maybe that is why I only got 40% in my last History exam. I forget the name of the teacher (maybe Miss Rogers?), also deputy head, who taught Latin and always wore her black gown and flew around the school like a bat out of hell. My favourite teacher was Miss Donald (Maths), although I was good at Maths and English she was always so helpful and patient with everybody. Miss Godsell taught Science, Biology &andPhysics. Mrs Adams taught Art, which was definitely NOT my forte.
I think the school was located at the end of Highfield Avenue, which at that time was a quite posh end of town.
If you think you had problems with Cove, you should have tried coping with the kids of Manor Park Secondary School! I used to cycle to and from school every day and was always targeted by them, as, like you, we had a uniform which made us stand out. I must admit it was the most disgusting bottle green colour.
Still, I remember my time at that school with great affection.
Comment from Carol Roberts on Friday, 14th August 2009.
RE: RE: Aldershot County High School For Girls
I was there from 1950 - 1956 I remember well the first couple of years in the "huts". I was on the netball team and the hockey team. Our gym/games teachers were Mrs. Saunders and Miss Wilson. I remember Ms. Duerden too. I live in the United States now and have seven grandchildren! One of my daughters is a teacher here in Florida. I wish I could find a photo of the school and/or students of that time. If anyone that reads this that was in any of my classes please email me.
Comment from Christine Bluck Newell on Tuesday, 4th May 2010.
RE: RE: Aldershot County High School For Girls
I was there from 1949-1956. The head was Vera Grace Martin. The history teacher was Mary Margaret Martin, if my memory's correct. She was a bit absent-minded in our time. One of our Maths teachers was Evelyn Duerden. She was brilliant. If we wished to become a teacher, we had to pass 0-level Maths. One of our year wished to be a teacher, but was hopeless at Maths. Miss Duerden gave her extra tuition and she passed. What better teacher could anyone have?
Comment from Patricia Anderson on Monday, 3rd May 2010.
RE: RE: Aldershot County High School For Girls
I was there from 1961 - 1968, leaving with 3 'A' levels. My sister was there before me, we overlapped by only one year. The huts were still used by the 1st form when I started. I was so terrified, as I was very shy and didn't know anyone. I was told off for being 'impudent' when really I was just scared. I remember both Miss Martins. The Head Teacher was also our Latin teacher for a couple of years. Ambulo, amubulas, ambulat, she said as she walked up and down the room. I don't remember many of the teachers' names. I was told off by the history Miss Martin for making fun of her behind her back, obviously she had eyes in the back of her head. It was a really good academic education and the top streams were expected to get 8 'O' levels. Some of us took French and Maths a year early if they expected us to pass, so we got two out of the way and only had to concentrate hard on 6 in the 5th year. My copy of the school photo in 1967 got left in Italy when I moved back to England and I would love to obtain another copy but can't find anywhere on the Internet where I could get one.
Comment from Gillian Smith on Monday, 19th December 2011.